Marine Conservation Expert, Consultant for Peru

**OPPORTUNITY**

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Improving Design, Evidence, and Learning (IDEAL) mechanism is looking for a consultant to support an update to the 118/119 Tropical Forest and Biodiversity Analysis for the USAID Mission in Peru.

**PURPOSE & NEED**

As required by Sections 118 and 119 of the Foreign Assistance Act, as amended, the analysis will examine the country-level tropical forest and biodiversity conservation needs and the extent to which USAID/Peru is currently addressing the actions necessary to conserve and sustainably manage tropical forests and biodiversity.

The purpose of this FAA 118/119 analysis is to support USAID/Peru in integrating biodiversity conservation into strategic planning, informing the development of the new CDCS and relevant bilateral programming. The analysis will assess how USAID/Peru addresses the actions needed to conserve and sustainably manage tropical forests and biodiversity, focusing on key sectors such as biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water supply, sanitation and hygiene, and ocean plastics. The analysis will use desk research, key informant interviews, off-the-shelf data, and geospatial mapping to highlight critical biodiversity areas, forest loss, and drivers of that loss.

**About Environmental Incentives**

Environmental Incentives is the prime contractor for the IDEAL mechanism. The company's mission is to enhance the environments that sustain healthy communities. We empower public and private sector leaders to maximize the effectiveness of their conservation and development programs. Our clients trust us to design and support implementation of programs that (1) use evidence to develop effective strategies within complex systems, (2) center local stakeholder experiences and facilitate collective action, and (3) produce results that support learning about what works. Environmental Incentives is a certified B Corporation with offices located in Washington, D.C.; South Lake Tahoe and San Diego, California; and Nairobi, Kenya. Our remote staff and consultants are located across the United States and five continents.

**CONSULTANCY DESCRIPTION**

Environmental Incentives is seeking a mid-level Marine Conservation Expert for the Peru 118/119 analysis update. The Marine Conservation Expert will serve as a key contributing member of a core analysis team for this activity.

The Marine Conservation Expert will report to the Team Lead and IDEAL's technical manager at Environmental Incentives, and contribute to the development and implementation of all client deliverables. This includes providing inputs into a work plan, conducting desk-based research, leading a portion of stakeholder consultations and qualitative data collection, contributing to the synthesis of preliminary findings, contributing to the draft and final analysis reports in accordance with established protocols and quality standards, and contributing to a presentation to the Mission on final findings and key takeaways. **The assignment for the Marine Conservation Expert will be for an estimated 15- 20 working days. **The period of performance will begin **as early as November 2024 and conclude by July 2025**.

**RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES**

The Marine Conservation Expert will:

- Contribute to the planning, development, analysis and reporting for the Peru 118/119 analysis, including drafting key sections as delegated by the Team Lead.
- Contribute to a research approach that includes both desk-based analysis and limited site visits, gathering data from existing datasets and conducting interviews with experts and partners.
- Provide key insights relating to marine-coastal biodiversity conservation, linking conservation gaps to broader policy and governance issues that impact biodiversity and local communities.
- Participate in regularly scheduled meetings throughout the activity lifetime.
- Lead the development of the Marine section of the 118/119 report.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Minimum Qualifications**
- Bachelor's degree in marine biology, coastal and marine resource management, oceanography, environmental science, zoology, ecology, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 13 years relevant experience OR Master's degree in marine biology, coastal and marine resource management, oceanography, environmental science, zoology, ecology, ecosystem conservation, political ecology, environmental policy or planning, or a closely related field; and at least 10 years relevant experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in marine conservation in Peru.
- Demonstrated experience conducting desk-based research and contributing to comprehensive analyses.
- Strong network and demonstrated experience with key actors in the marine, coastal, and fisheries sectors.
- Strong knowledge of institutions, regulations and legal frameworks in the marine sector in Peru; knowledge in fores